Oncology Nurse Role: Duties, Rewards, & Challenges Unveiled

Job Duties of an Oncology Nurse

May 02, 2024 by Karen Hecksher . 8 min read

In this Blog

If you’re looking for a role that challenges and engages you, is highly rewarding, and gives you the chance to make a difference in people’s lives, you must explore the career prospects of an oncology nurse.

Oncology nursing is more than a profession—it’s a calling.

These nurses are trained to manage both the physical symptoms related to cancer treatments and the emotional challenges faced by patients and their families. They are the backbone of cancer care teams, offering unwavering support while managing complex challenges.

For those considering a career in oncology nursing, it is important to understand the depth and breadth of its responsibilities.

MyCareers is here to guide you through the world of oncology nurses––their short and long-term duties, unique skills, and the profound value they bring to communities.

The Rewards and Challenges of Oncology Nursing

Oncology nursing is both highly rewarding and highly challenging –– making it perfect for those who are willing to put in the work to make a difference.

Oncology nursing is one of the most in-demand careers, with nurses earning an average base salary of $117,965 in the US and $87,826 in Australia.

Here’s why it’s a satisfying career:

Make a tangible difference in patients’ lives: Oncology nurses play a vital role in supporting patients as they navigate the challenges of a cancer diagnosis and treatment. Witnessing their resilience and contributing to survivorship can be uniquely rewarding.
Build strong patient relationships: Developing trusting and meaningful relationships with patients and their families can be a source of deep satisfaction.
Continual learning: Oncology nurses have ample opportunities for professional growth and learning new skills throughout their careers.
Strong sense of purpose and teamwork: Working alongside a dedicated healthcare team in a supportive environment fosters a strong sense of purpose and camaraderie.

On the other hand, here are some of the challenges oncology nurses face:

Emotional intensity: Cancer treatment can be physically and emotionally draining for patients. Oncology nurses may experience secondary compassion fatigue as they witness patients struggle with the disease.
Difficult conversations: Discussing a cancer diagnosis, treatment options, or end-of-life care can be emotionally taxing for both patients and nurses.
Shift Work and Long Hours: Working irregular hours, including nights and weekends, can be demanding. Maintaining a work-life balance can be challenging for oncology nurses.

The Personal Qualities of an Oncology Nurse

Oncology nursing demands a unique blend of technical expertise and soft skills. Here are some essential qualities that make a successful oncology nurse:

Empathy and Compassion: Understanding the emotional toll of cancer and offering patients support, empathy, and a listening ear.
Communication Skills: Communicating clearly and effectively with patients, families, and the healthcare team.
Patience and Resilience: Oncology care requires patience as patients progress through treatment. Nurses need to be resilient in the face of challenging situations and potential setbacks.
Attention to Detail: Meticulous attention to detail and adherence to strict protocols is absolutely vital for ensuring patient safety.
Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills: Oncology nurses need to think critically, analyze patient data, and make sound decisions in collaboration with the healthcare team.
Teamwork: Oncology care is a team effort. Nurses need to collaborate effectively with physicians, social workers, therapists, and other healthcare professionals.
Organizational Skills: Oncology nurses juggle multiple patients, tasks, and priorities throughout a shift. Strong organizational skills are essential for managing their workload effectively.

The Scope of Oncology Nursing

Oncology nurses work in various settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, infusion centers, and sometimes within patient homes. Their daily responsibilities are extensive and multifaceted.

Let’s get into their primary duties.

Patient Assessment & Monitoring

Oncology nurses begin their care with a thorough evaluation of the patient’s condition. This includes:

Taking Vital Signs: Monitoring blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation levels to catch any potential complications early on.
Comprehensive Assessment: Oncology nurses conduct thorough physical assessments and identify changes from previous assessments. That includes examining skin, lymph nodes, and wounds.
Tracking symptoms and Medication Side Effects: Thoroughly documenting symptoms helps nurses adjust care plans, manage side effects, and maintain the patient’s quality of life as much as possible.
Pain Management Assessment: Pain is a common issue for many cancer patients. Oncology nurses are skilled in pain assessment and utilizing various tools to understand the type, location, and intensity of a patient’s pain.

Treatment Administration

A core aspect of an oncology nurse’s role lies in the safe and effective administration of various treatments. These include:

Chemotherapy: Meticulous adherence to safety protocols, including double-checking dosages, verifying patient identity, and properly administering chemotherapy via various routes (IV, oral, injection, and others).
Immunotherapy: Oncology nurses are increasingly involved in administering immunotherapy drugs, which harness the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells.
Radiation Therapy Support: While not directly administering radiation, oncology nurses must prepare patients, offer support during treatment sessions, and monitor for side effects.
Blood Product Transfusions: Oncology patients frequently require blood transfusions, and nurses play a vital role in safe administration and monitoring.

Patient and Family Education

Knowledge is power––and it can make tangible differences in health outcomes. Oncology nurses must also focus on providing clear and compassionate education to patients and their families.

Explaining Diagnosis and Treatment: Breaking down complex medical information into understandable terms for patients and their families promotes informed decision-making and helps reduce anxiety.
Medication Teaching: It involves teaching patients about their medications, including potential side effects, how to take them, and essential precautions. The better they do so, the more actively patients can participate in their care and prevent complications.
Self-Care and Side Effect Management: Oncology nurses provide detailed instructions on strategies for managing common side effects such as nausea, fatigue, and skin changes.
Resource Navigation: Oncology nurses connect patients and families to support services, financial assistance, and other resources within the healthcare system and community.

Symptom Management

Cancer and its treatments often cause a range of challenging side effects. Oncology nurses are dedicated to alleviating these symptoms to the best of their ability.

Their focus includes:

Pain Management: Collaborating with physicians to develop effective pain management plans, administering medications, and exploring non-pharmacological interventions like relaxation techniques or complementary therapies.
Nausea and Vomiting: Implementing anti-nausea measures preemptively and managing nausea to maintain patient comfort.
Fatigue: Educating patients about energy conservation techniques and strategies to manage the debilitating fatigue associated with cancer and its treatment.
Psychosocial and Emotional Distress: Assessing and addressing the psychological impact of cancer, including anxiety, depression, and fear.

Collaboration and Care Coordination

Oncology care thrives on teamwork! Nurses play a pivotal role in this context by focusing on:

Multidisciplinary Team Communication: Actively participating in team rounds, communicating changes in a patient’s condition to physicians, pharmacists, social workers, and other healthcare professionals to ensure coordinated care.
Discharge Planning: Working with case managers or social workers to develop safe and comprehensive discharge plans, coordinating follow-up care, and connecting patients with any resources needed at home.
Continuity of Care: Serving as a consistent point of contact for patients, navigating care transitions between inpatient, outpatient, and home-based settings.

Emotional Support & Advocacy

Oncology nurses go beyond treating the physical aspects of cancer – they are also champions of emotional well-being and patient empowerment.

That includes:

Providing Emotional Support: Oncology nurses witness the emotional toll of cancer firsthand. They offer a compassionate presence, actively listen to patients’ fears and anxieties, and validate their emotions.
Promoting Patient Autonomy: Respecting patient autonomy, ensuring their voices are heard in decision-making processes, and helping them participate in their care plan whenever possible.
Advocacy: Sometimes, patients struggle to understand their options or need help navigating challenging situations. Oncology nurses must advocate on their behalf to ensure they receive appropriate care and have their concerns addressed.

Education and Professional Development

The ever-changing field of oncology demands lifelong learning. Oncology nurses must be committed to sustained professional development. They are expected to take continuing education courses to stay current on the latest treatment protocols, medications, and evidence-based practices.

They also need to mentor new nurses and foster a supportive team environment.

Research and Trials

Oncology nurses play an integral role in clinical trials for new cancer treatments and drugs. As an oncology nurse, you can play a huge role in cancer treatment and management.

Nurses help with patient recruitment, ensure participants understand the trials, and manage the care and documentation required for these studies.

Specializations in Oncology Nursing

Oncology nurses can choose to further specialize within the field. Here are some common specializations:

Medical Oncology: Nurses focused on providing care to patients receiving chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and other treatments.
Surgical Oncology: Nurses supporting patients undergoing cancer surgery, including pre-operative, intraoperative, and post-operative care.
Radiation Oncology: Nurses working with patients receiving radiation therapy, offering emotional support, monitoring for side effects, and providing education throughout the treatment course.
Pediatric Oncology: These nurses specialize in caring for children and adolescents with cancer. They have a unique understanding of child development and address the specific needs of this patient population.
Bone Marrow Transplant: Nurses specializing in caring for patients undergoing bone marrow transplants, a complex and potentially life-saving procedure.

Explore Oncology Nursing with MyCareers!

Oncology nursing is a challenging yet rewarding career path that stands as a pillar of support for patients battling cancer.

Want to know if it’s right for you? MyCareers can help!

We provide solutions to better understand your aptitudes, explore career options, and find the right education opportunities.

We gather data straight from industry professionals and use it to create an interactive career exploration platform designed to help students at every stage of their journey.